Banned fraud councillor continues to represent Basildon Council

CONFUSION surrounds why a councillor suspended by Labour pending a fraud trial is still able to represent the party on Basildon Council.

Daniel Munyambu, who represents Vange, is awaiting news of whether he will still face trial in his native Kenya on fraud charges in connection with a car export business run from his home in Clickett End, Basildon.

In the meantime he remains under suspension from the Labour Party nationally and locally, but is no longer regarded an independent.

An East of England Labour Party spokeswoman said: "Daniel Munyambu remains suspended from the Labour group on Basildon Council, pending the outcome of the legal process in Kenya."

Despite this, Mr Munyambu wrote to council chief executive Bala Mahendran, in a letter backed by group leader Nigel Smith, saying he was joining the Basildon Labour group again.

Although he is banned from group meetings, part conferences or standing for the party in any elections, Mr Smith said he could still represent the party as a councillor as this is what he was elected to do.

Tory council leader Tony Ball said: “This shows what disarray the Labour party in Basildon is in they are doing the hockey cockey and cant make up their mind who is in and out.

“If the Tory party suspended one of my councillors I would not have them representing the party until it was resolved.”

Mr Smith said: “I am determined he should continue to represent Labour. I admit to an outsider it may seem confusing, but he is a member of the council and act as a Labour councillor which he is good at. It has nothing to do with the three councillors resigning. the fact it took place around the same time is a separate issues. He is registered as a Labour and sits with Labour.”

"Tory council leader Tony Ball said: “This shows what disarray the Labour party in Basildon is in they are doing the hockey cockey and cant make up their mind who is in and out."

Hockey Cockey sounds like a rather rude field sport. However, "doing the Hokey Cokey" is the phrase that I think is being referred to here.

Come on , Echo - you can do better than that!!

"Tory council leader Tony Ball said: “This shows what disarray the Labour party in Basildon is in they are doing the hockey cockey and cant make up their mind who is in and out."
Hockey Cockey sounds like a rather rude field sport. However, "doing the Hokey Cokey" is the phrase that I think is being referred to here.
Come on , Echo - you can do better than that!!southendmike

Discouraged wrote:
Nigel Smith could hardly turn his back on someone accused of financial wrongdoings, or he would have had to divorce Angela.

is he the same Nigel Smith that has announced the axing of the bbc's Archers Messageboard?

[quote][p][bold]Discouraged[/bold] wrote:
Nigel Smith could hardly turn his back on someone accused of financial wrongdoings, or he would have had to divorce Angela.[/p][/quote]is he the same Nigel Smith that has announced the axing of the bbc's Archers Messageboard?Cosmo Spring

southendmike wrote:
&quot;Tory council leader Tony Ball said: “This shows what disarray the Labour party in Basildon is in they are doing the hockey cockey and cant make up their mind who is in and out."

Hockey Cockey sounds like a rather rude field sport. However, "doing the Hokey Cokey" is the phrase that I think is being referred to here.

Come on , Echo - you can do better than that!!

They can't apparently!

[quote][p][bold]southendmike[/bold] wrote:
"Tory council leader Tony Ball said: “This shows what disarray the Labour party in Basildon is in they are doing the hockey cockey and cant make up their mind who is in and out."
Hockey Cockey sounds like a rather rude field sport. However, "doing the Hokey Cokey" is the phrase that I think is being referred to here.
Come on , Echo - you can do better than that!![/p][/quote]They can't apparently!mikepaterson

Well I suppose that getting an additional councillor goes a little way towards filling the gap made by the loss of 3 of his members. Isn't this the same Nigel Smith who lost 4 Councillors when he was leader before? One by resigning and then standing as an independent, one, who was Vice-chair by resignation and two who defected to the Tories? Does he lack something?

Well I suppose that getting an additional councillor goes a little way towards filling the gap made by the loss of 3 of his members. Isn't this the same Nigel Smith who lost 4 Councillors when he was leader before? One by resigning and then standing as an independent, one, who was Vice-chair by resignation and two who defected to the Tories? Does he lack something?gumbley

I know that someone is innocent until proven guilty but if the Labour Party nationally and regionally say that someone is suspended then how can they continue to sit as a Labour Councillor. Is this Councillor Smith making up the rules as he goes along?

I know that someone is innocent until proven guilty but if the Labour Party nationally and regionally say that someone is suspended then how can they continue to sit as a Labour Councillor. Is this Councillor Smith making up the rules as he goes along?BasildonFlossie